Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United: 3 talking points as Gunners eye top four

Arsenal made it back-to-back wins with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates. First-half goals from Nuno Tavares and Bukayo Saka and a long range Granit Xhaka strike in the second half secured a vital three points in the quest for the top four.

Mikel Arteta made just one change from the side that defeated Chelsea in the Premier League in midweek, with Cedric replacing Rob Holding. After his two-goal effort, Eddie Nketiah again led the line for the home side.

It took Arsenal less than three minutes to take the lead. A ball whipped in first time from Granit Xhaka found its way to Bukayo Saka, who forced a superb save from David de Gea, although Nuno was on hand to poke home from close range.

United grew into the game over the next 20 minutes, with Diogo Dalot hitting the bar from range, but Arsenal thought they had doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark with Eddie Nketiah firing home. The goal was eventually given offside, however; there was a check on a foul on Saka in the build-up which referee Craig Pawson decided was a penalty. For the second time in two games, Saka stepped up and lashed home his penalty to double the Gunners’ lead with half an hour played.

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United: 3 talking points as Gunners take another huge leap towards Premier League top four

United halved the deficit barely seconds later. A delightfully clipped ball from Matic outside the box found its way to Cristiano Ronaldo who ghosted past Gabriel and poked home from close range.

An entertaining – chaotic – first half ended with the Gunners heading into the sheds in the lead. Yet just nine minutes into the half, United were given a chance to bring themselves level after Nuno handled in the box, with Pawson pointing to the spot. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and hit his tame shot against the outside of the post to spare Tavares’ blushes.

The visitors were bossing the game and with 20 minutes to go, Arsenal, against the run of play, hit them with a sucker punch. Granit Xhaka picked the ball up from 25 yards and unleashed an unstoppable shot past De Gea to send the Emirates into raptures.

The home side held on and moved three points clear of Tottenham with just five matches left of the season to play. It’s a win that didn’t seem likely at one stage, but is now very much a reality. Here are three talking points.

1. Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny Provide Calming Influence

The midfield duo, who has often been much-maligned over the last couple of seasons, were sensational today. In a game that was often high tempo and chaotic, the pair slowed everything down. It can’t be understated how important having the experience of Xhaka and Elneny in midfield was when the situation got frantic.

Always available to take the sting out of a situation or to keep the team ticking over, both Xhaka and Elneny played perhaps their best game as a partnership for Arsenal.

United was coming hard in the second half, and it was the pair who defused several situations in the attacking third and repelled any United attack. They slowed down proceedings, progressed the ball at the right time, and moved side to side to allow breathing room.

Flying into duels to retain possession or producing well-timed tackles to win possession back, Xhaka and Elneny were a calming influence over a young Arsenal side that threatened to implode. With an already thin squad losing further senior players, two of only the three aged over 24 years old stood up to the task. Again.

With Thomas Partey gone for the season, the onus is on the pair to bring it home for the Gunners. After today’s performance and the midweek clash against Chelsea, the midfield is in safe hands, albeit for a few fleeting moments.

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2. Ramsdale and Defense Were Far Too Shaky

The Gunners keeper has not been his usual self over the last couple of games. He nearly cost his side a few times on Saturday afternoon.

Trying to play out from the back and thread a tight pass, Ramsdale gifted Bruno Fernandes a guilt-edged chance early in the first half. Thankfully, Gabriel managed to get a toe on the shot and diverted it wide.

Often assured with the ball at his feet, he has been shaky. Misplaced passes, putting teammates under pressure, flapping at wide deliveries and generally putting his defence under strain, it was an uneven performance from the Arsenal gloveman. He did produce a couple of great saves – vital ones, at that –  but his distribution has put a lot of heat on his defense that they were just able to overcome today.

That said, the back four, especially the full-backs who both had dreadful afternoons, don’t leave unmentioned. The amount of unforced errors was alarming. Filling up with self-doubt in the first half, they lost any grip on proceedings shortly after the restart. Despite opening the scoring, Nuno showed his youthfulness as he constantly misplaced passes and gave away a silly penalty for handball.

He looked nervous and unsure of himself today, and even when in attacking positions, he either hit his shot well over, or it was taken off his foot to kickstart a United counter-attack. It was not his best outing. On the other flank, Sancho had Cedric’s number and he could not cope with defending one-on-one.

Arsenal got lucky in the second half, but all that matters is the three points. It’s about dusting themselves down now, taking the win, and moving on. This performance demanded a lot from the players, and they obliged.

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3. Martin Odegaard Captains Back-to-Back Top Six Wins

Proving to be one of Arsenal’s best signings over recent years. The captain was again on another level.

The Norwegian was a constant presence in the attacking third. Pressuring relentlessly and hounding the United defense, his silky and classy touches were mesmerizing in and around the box. When Real Madrid fans watch on with regret you know he’s doing something right.

What never goes unnoticed, although sometimes can on account of his delightful technical craft, is his work rate off the ball. Odegaard would sprint 40-50 yards to pressure David De Gea or, as United tried to play out from the back. Even with 90 minutes on the clock he never dropped his energy levels for a second.

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His eye for a pass and ability to pick the right one was again a feature as, time after time, he threaded a neat ball that opened up space for others. His ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, pirouette past a challenge and make space for himself got Arsenal out of numerous pickles.

He looks right at home with the captain’s armband. In successive games against Top Six outfits he’s had to step up to the plate, and boy, he has.